Gender, Theology and Religion
The objective of the scholarly field of Gender, Theology and Religion is to describe and interpret the way in which gender is constructed in religious practice, sacred texts and theological reflection. It also wants to challenge institutions, traditions and individuals to critical self-reflection and further the authority of women as interpreters and innovators in religion and society.
The development of gender research as an interdisciplinary field at the Faculty of Theology has been going on since 1980. In 2000, the field received its first professorial chair. The field is based on instincts from gender theory and feminism, as well as from interdisciplinary knowledge development with a gender perspective more generally.
Feminist theology is part of the field, and this theology has both a critical and a constructive side. On the one hand, a power-critical perspective is directed towards the positions of men and women and the significance of gender in church and society, theology and language. On the other hand, theological models are sought after that may further equality, dialogue and reform. This double perspective concerns the entire subject of Theology.
In addition, gender is studied in Biblical studies, ethics, church history and inter-religious studies. Central themes are family, sexuality, masculinity, images of God, liturgy and ritual, religious dialogue, theories of religion, new religiosity, secularism, postcolonial religion and transnational feminism.
The Seminar in gender and theology is an interdisciplinary research network at the Faculty of Theology for scholarly development and debating current gender perspectives on Theology, religion, ethics and church practice. In addition, the faculty has an interdisciplinary research group in gender, theology and religion.
Permanent staff connected to the research area:
- Kari Elisabeth Børresen, Senior Professor
- Kjetil Hafstad, Professor
- Oddbjørn Leirvik, Professor
- Halvor Moxnes, Professor
- Tarald Rasmussen, Professor
- Jone Salomonsen, Professor
- Turid Karlsen Seim, Professor (on leave)
Research fellows connected to the research area:
- Åste Dokka
- Jon Øygarden Flæten
- Anne Hege Grung
- Dr. Marianne Bjelland Kartzow
- Dr. Birgitte Lerheim
- Anna Rebecca Solevåg